Foldable prop



oct.. 25, 1949. K T SNYblg- R 2,486,218

FOLDBLE PROP Filed Nov. 9, 1944 Kirby 175792Z@ INVEN'ToR.

Patented ct. 25, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FOLDABLE PR01. Kirby T. Snyder, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application November 9, 1944, Serial No. 562,719

1 Claim.

The device forming the subjecting matter of this application is a foldable prop, intended primarily to be employed for holding a storm sash or a screen in open position, but the invention is capable of use as a table leg prop and in connection with foldable shelves and the like.

Assuming that the device is used to regulate the amount that a storm sash or screen is opened with respect to a window frame, one object of the invention is to provide novel means for regulating or limiting positively the amount that the sash or screen is opened.

Another object of the invention is to supply novel means whereby the screen or storm sash is held positively in a closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide,

upon one of the constituent links of the prop, a

lateral flange which exercises a two-fold function, in that it cooperates with a stop, to terminate positively, a downward folding movement of the constituent links of the prop, the flange serving also to dispose the links side by side, so that they may be swung downwardly, as one piece, to locking position.

Within the scope of what is claimed, the strucstrueted in accordance with the invention, the

closure being in open position.

Figure 21s atop plan.

Figure 3 is a transverse section on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmental elevation showing a portion of one of the links and the latch which is pivoted thereunto.

The device forming the subject matter of this application is a foldable prop P, comprising a rst link I, having a lateral, reinforcing flange 3 at its upper edge and extended throughout the major portion of the length of said edge. A means 4 is provided for connecting the outer end of the rst link I pivotally with a support S. In the present embodiment of the invention, the support S is a window frame.

A second rigid link 2 is provided. The inner ends of the links I and 2 are overlapped. A means is provided for pivotally connecting the outer end of the second link 2 with an object O to be propped. In the embodiment under consideration the object O is a storm sash or a window screen.

A friction brake washer li, made of fibre or the 2 the links I and 2. An inverted U-shaped stop I is supplied, and within the stop the overlapped ends of the links I and 2 are received.

A clamping and pvot member 8 is supplied. It may be a bolt and nut. The clamping and pivot member 8 extends through opposite portions of the stop 1, the overlapped ends of the links I and 2, and the washer 6. The clamping and pivot member constitutes adjustable means for causing the overlapped ends of the links I and 2 to grip the washer Ali, whereby the links will be held frictionally at adjusted angles with respect.

to each other. I

The inner end portion 23 of the flange 3 and the adjacent portion of the upper edge of the second link 2 engage opposed edges of the stop 'I to limit, positively, the downwardlyknuckllng of the links I and 2 on the clamping and pivot member 8. l

It will be noted that the intermediate portion of the-stop 'I is offset and is of less width than the remaining portion. Thus it offers minimum resistance to the relative movement of the links and permits them to swing closer together than would be possible should a wider member be located at this point.

By an instrumentality not shown, the storm sash O is hingedly connected with the support S' at the upper ends of these parts for inward and outward swinging movement. When the parts are arranged as shown in Figure l, the stop 'I functions positively to prevent the sash O from swinging inwardly beyond the position depicted. The prop P may be knuckled upwardly, the stop 'I no longer cooperating with the end edge 23 of the flange 3 and the upper edge of the link 2 to hold the sash O against swinging inwardly; the friction office of the washer |6 holds the'links I and 2 at an angle other than that shown at Figure 1, the angle between the sash O and the window frame or support S being changed accordingly.

Respecting the means 4 whereby the outer end of the link I is pivotally assembled with the support S, that means may embody a bracket 9, attached by securing elements I0 to the support S, and a pivot element I I carried by the bracket and engaged with the outer end of the link I.

The means 5 for pivotally assembling the outer end of the link 2 with the sash O comprises an angle bracket I2, having an outstanding ange I4, the angle bracket being attached by .securing elements I5 to the part O.

A pivot element I5, such as a rivet, is mounted, preferably xedly, in the outstanding flange I4 of the angle bracket I2, and is provided with an enlarged head I1, spaced from the flange I4. The link 2 has a key hole slot I8. The head I1 of the pivot element I6 may be passed through the enlarged part of the key hole slot i8, the link 2 being moved longitudinally until the shank of the pivot element is in the reduced portion of the key hole slot. A latch I9 i-s pivoted at 20 to the link 2 and has a notch 2 I. The latch I9 is swung until the shank of .the ,pivot element I6 is received in the notch'ZII and then the pivot element cannot escape from the link 2.

When it is desired to stow the window sash O., the latch I 9 is moved to the position of Figure 4, and the pivot element I6 may be disengaged efr-om the key hole slot I8. The prop ,P remains assembled with the support on frame S until 4it is desired to replace the sash K) in 'operative position.

The prop P is made in duplicate as rights `and lefts, two props preferably being used in connection each isas'hfG.

`The device is so constructed lthat it will permit a ready change iffrom a screen to Aa storm Vsash at the will of an operator. The prop P remains connected lto 'the support =S, 'and it is -only necessary to prov-ide vupon lthe cash -or screen `frame O the simple struct-ure embodying the angle lbracket I2 lari-ditlfre pivot element I'B.

The links 'I 'and 2 are oldable upwardly, as indicated by the arrow 1A, laterally fas indicated 'by the arrow iB, and downwardly as indicated by the Aarrow '0, `:until they idemand *from 'the pivot element I I. The lower edge 22 of ithefseoond link -2 engages the 'ange 3, the links 'I and 2 then *bei-ng yswung ltiownwarily, the axis for" the Ipivot lelements f6 and '1=I being alinernent iand the frame 'O being retained in -closed position.

:The voperation of the -device has Ibeen set forth in connection with the description of the various parts, and a recapitulation at this point would constitute no more than a needless repetition.

What is claimed:

A prop for storm windows or the like including a link, a at longitudinal flange thereon, a second link lapping at one end an end of the first link, a pivot element connecting the lapping ends, a friction wa-sher interposed between the lapping ends and mounted on the pivot element, and means carried by the pivot element or limiting relative movement of 'the links lin one direction `and for self-adjustment relative to the links for absorbing thrusts therefrom, said means includngasubstantially U-shaped washer having a flat `.intermediate bridge portion overlying the lapping ends and friction washer, said U--shaped washer being mounted on rand having its bridge portion tangentially oset from the pivot element for movement of the bridge portion into the plane of the flange on movement of the links in said direction, whereby to bring `one :side orf the ibridge portion into engagement with ,an end :of fthe 'flange `to .provide -a :straight extension lonf the iange adapted to engage the :other flink.

KIR-BY T. L'SNTYDER.

.REFERENCES CITZED The ,following references .are 'of record in Lthe file of patent:

STATES .PATENTS- Number Name .Date

.1,244,644 Rnguette Oct. 30, 1917 1,609,935 Flewe'll Dec. 7, 1926 1,701,658 Asper Feb. i2, T929 1,746,556 Preston Feb. T1, 1930 '2,226,824 Larson Dec. 31, '1940 2,311,687 'Olson Feb. 2,3, 1943 

